Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.
Google’s title change in the search results is now just about two weeks in and we just can’t stop obsessing about it. SEOs want a way to opt out but I personally don’t think a meta tag is the way to go, I think Search Console is the way to go. Google said this title change does not impact rankings. Semrush data shows just how significant the title change was. Also, it turns out most SEOs do not use Bing Webmaster Tools. And Google does not use lighthouse data for search. Finally, part two of my vlog with Paul VanHevel and Lily Ray covers a Smörgåsbord of SEO topics.
Search Engine Roundtable Stories:
Google’s Title/Header Change Does Not Impact Rankings
There are a lot of people asking if the title/header change Google made on August 17th has any impact on rankings. Like, is Google uses the new title it itself generated for ranking purposes. The answer is no, there was no ranking change with this – as I wrote originally.
SEOs Want Opt Out For Google Title Change But How
This title change has been causing a lot of stir in the SEO community. Personally, I think it will eventually blow over, like so many other things. But ultimately most SEOs by far want an opt out feature to force Google to use your HTML title tag over something else it finds on your page or pointing to your page.
Semrush: Google Dropped HTML Title Tags Usage By 77% & Replaced Those With H1s 75% Of The Time
Mordy Oberstein, Head of Communications at Semrush, shared some really early data on the Google title change we’ve all been obsessed with. In short, the number of Google search results showing with the HTML title tag on the SERP dropped 77% on average and when that happened, roughly 75% are utilizing the H1 instead of the HTML title tag.
Google: Lighthouse Scores Do Not Affect Google Search
Google’s John Mueller, with a tad of annoyance, posted on Twitter that “lighthouse scores do not affect Google Search.” He then shares a tweet about people cloaking and cheating their lighthouse scores as a scam to trick Google.
Survey Says Most SEOs Do Not Use Bing Webmaster Tools
Most SEOs do not login to Bing Webmaster Tools, a recent Twitter poll determined. The poll asked “SEO’s do you ever log in to Bing Webmaster Tools?” It had 1,220 results, which is a pretty big response.
Vlog #135: Paul VanHevel and Lily Ray: An SEO Smorgasbord
In part one we mostly spoke about core updates and in part two we go into a quicker paced conversation on a boat load of SEO topics…
Google My Business Mentor Trophy
Ben Fisher received a very limited Google My Business mentorship award. Well, it looks like a trophy. He said it is given out by the Google Product Expert group to very few people.
Other Great Search Threads:
I think @jasonmbarnard ‘s concept of an “entity home” is totally underrated, and a great subject for discussion. Not overly technical, not just for “advanced” folks, simple take-aways anyone can implement., John Mueller on Twitter
I wouldn’t blindly copy other site structures. Everyone has a unique situation – requirements, infrastructure, options, etc.. What works for them, doesn’t necessarily work for others., John Mueller on Twitter
It’s not a weird ranking bonus and it’s closely tied in with UX. I get that people don’t like vague handwavy SEO recommendations (I don’t either), but these changes are well-defined and align with best practices fo, John Mueller on Twitter
Nothing has changed there. (What do you consider canalization?), John Mueller on Twitter
The disavow file has no effect on the links shown in Search Console — it also shows links that are nofollow there. (I suspect you might be focusing too much on links :-)), John Mueller on Twitter
Lazy Loading Ads Including Adsense Ads, WebmasterWorld
Search Engine Land Stories:
Other Great Search Stories:
Analytics
Enhance Your Data Privacy Strategy With Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Blast Analytics
On-Demand Webinar: GTM Server Side & GA4, Adswerve
Industry & Business
1SEO Digital Agency Names CJ Bachmann as New Chief Executive Officer, International Business News
Google reportedly offered Netflix a special discount on Play Store fees, Engadget
Google’s Push Into Indian Retail Banking Is a Threat to Traditional Lenders, Bloomberg
Australia considering new laws for Apple, Google, WeChat digital wallets, Reuters
Links & Content Marketing
10 Best Content Marketing Examples to Inspire You in 2021, Terakeet
13 Brainstorming Techniques to Spur Creativity on Content Marketing Teams, Content Marketing Institute
Local & Maps
Some stubborn but clever person put Google Maps on the NES, Engadget
Apple Maps data source MapmyIndia set for Monday IPO, Appleinsider
Google Fixes One More Android Auto Problem as New Updates Roll Out, AutoEvolution
What Happened to Google My Business Site Managers?, Steady Demand
Apple Maps is finally starting to follow Google’s lead on user reviews, Engadget
Mobile & Voice
Google Assistant adds support for Daylong Routines, 9to5Google
Automate your whole day with the Assistant’s new Daylong Routines, Android Police
SEO
Bookmarklet To Checks If The Result Title In The SERP Matches The One On The Site, tl;dr Marketing
Conversion Rate Optimization for B2B, Moz
Navigation and Transit Communication at Google, Go Fish Digital
The Great Resignation: Future-Proof your Digital Strategy with Structured Data, Schema App
Why You’re Not Getting Client Buy-In On Your SEO Strategies (And What You Can Do About It), Kahena
PPC
What Are The Components Of A Good Test Plan?, Search Discovery
Google Ads For Coaches | 10 Tips & Strategies To Grow With Google Ads, Alroberts Digital
Google’s vague privacy cure-all is showing up in new proposals, but some say it could break the internet, Digiday
Other Search
Four privacy-first Google search alternatives you need to try, WIRED UK
Feedback:
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